Liquid containment system for use with load-supporting surfaces

Abstract

System for containing liquid introduced onto a reusable load-supporting surface includes a plurality of interconnectable berm members configured to releasably sealingly engage the load-supporting surface to prevent leakage of liquid from the load-supporting surface around its perimeter.

Description

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE[0001]The present disclosure relates generally to preventing the leakage of liquid from a load-supporting surface and, more particularly, to a liquid containment system.BACKGROUND[0002]Temporary or semi-permanent support surfaces have been used for roadways, remote jobsites, industrial staging areas and the like in an ever-increasing myriad of industries, such as construction, military, oilfield, transportation, disaster response, utilities and entertainment. These support surfaces are often made up of heavy duty, durable, all-weather thermoplastic mats, which are reusable and interlock together to form the support surface. Traditionally, a plastic liner is placed below and around the mat assembly in an effort to capture liquids that are spilled or otherwise introduced onto the support surface before such liquids encounter the subgrade terrain.[0003]The use of liners with temporary or semi-permanent support surfaces may have one or more disadvantages. In many ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The patent describes a system for preventing liquid from leaking from a load-supporting surface on the ground without using any liners. The system includes a perimeter of interconnected planar mats made of impermeable plastic, with locking pin holes for securely joining them together. The system also includes berm members made of impermeable plastic that are positioned around the perimeter of the load-supporting surface and sealingly engage with it to prevent the leakage of liquid. The berm members are interconnected and securely engage with each other and the load-supporting surface to contain any liquid that may be present and prevent it from leaking out. The system simplifies the process of supporting loads on the ground while also preventing liquid leakage.

Problems solved by technology

However, since the liners, unlike the mats, are not normally reusable, they must often be discarded.

This can be problematic because landfill operators have expressed disinterest in accepting used liners on the basis that they are bulky and require excessive landfill space, or for other reasons.

Thus, it can be difficult to find suitable, cost-effective ways to dispose of the liners.

For another example, the plastic liners are sometimes ineffective at preventing fluid leakage from the support surface or allowing effective clean-up, which can cause other problems and require significant time and effort.

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